I think I can safely say I am currently the happiest missionary in the world.
Why, you ask?
Well, you see....
I just got home from the TEMPLE!!!!
That's right, the House of the Lord.
Oh happy day!
I began my mission thinking I would never have the opportunity to go to the temple because there isn't a temple in my mission boundaries. I was sad about that, but didn't realize at the time how much I would be needing the temple. As the months rolled on, I yearned for the temple, but knew I would not be able to go until I was back in Utah. Then, about a month ago, President Porter announced we had received special permission to go to the temple!! I think I screamed in the chapel. I've been anxiously awaiting the day and... today was the day! I knew I desperately missed the temple, but I don't think I even realized just how much until I stepped in the doors of the Lousville, Kentucky temple.
Here is what made my trip to the temple really special:
I had a few weeks to prepare and I knew I wouldn't be going back for 6 months, so I wanted to get as much out of it as I could. I've been studying the temple in the scriptures, Ensigns, and my patriarchal blessing, and praying about what question I should have on my mind while there.
However, despite all of my preparation I woke up this morning still not knowing what exactly I was wanting to get out of my time at the temple. I prayed even harder and had the impression to read my patriarchal blessing on the drive there (about 100 miles in case you're curious.. oh and Sister Bradley, our stake president's wife who I love drove us and the other sisters!). After reading, I had a lot on my mind, but I still wasn't 100% sure what I was going to focus on.
All of my worries melted away as soon as I walked into the temple, though.
The room where our session was was pretty small and was basically all missionaries (our zone got to go together!) and the members who drove us. I was the first sister sitting and it was so special to sit and watch all of my missionaries walk in dressed in white.
The session started and I was blown away. Absolutely captivated by the newest video. WOW! So much better. Anyway, I felt like I had never been to the temple. Everything sounded new and had so much more meaning to me. It wasn't until afterward, though, when I was sitting in the celestial room conversing with my Heavenly Father that everything connected for me. Well, He connected all the dots for me anyway.
First, I was once again one of the first sisters in the celestial room. As I sat there I felt so peaceful, but I also felt like something was missing. I realized that the last time I was at the temple was with most of our family and I missed that. It was so special being there as a family and now I miss and love you all more than ever so it was really tugging at my heart. Then Sister Ryan popped into my mind and I realized I was at the temple with family! I couldn't wait for her to come into the room so I could just give her a big hug. What a blessing. I'm pretty sure this was one of the reasons He let us serve together.
Then, as I sat pondering family, was when everything really connected. All of the articles I had studied about the temple had the common theme of family-- we go to the temple to understand our role in our eternal family and to create/strengthen our earthly families. I can't exactly describe how it all fell into place in my mind, but basically I know I am on my mission to prepare for my future family. That is the whole reason I am here on this Earth and I know it without a doubt-- I can feel it in my Spirit. I am here to have a family and there is no way on this Earth I would have been prepared for that without my mission. This stream of realization went on for quite some time and I wish you could understand everything that Heavenly Father taught me, but hey it is personal revelation for a reason :)
Moral of the story: GO TO THE TEMPLE. Please, do not take it for granted!! It is the most beautiful thing in this world. As a missionary, I spend my days in some pretty dark places and I can't begin to tell you the contrast. The temple truly is a piece of Heaven here on Earth. I know that Heavenly Father dwells there.
I love you!
A very happy Sister Kayla Rolfe
xoxoxo
President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, described blessings of attending the temple:
“When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective. There, during the time of the temple service, we are ‘out of the world.’
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